Device for working on an escalator

ABSTRACT

A device ( 42 ) useful for working on an escalator ( 20 ) provides a tread surface ( 50 ) that is obliquely oriented relative to an incline (I) of the escalator ( 20 ) during a maintenance or repair procedure. A disclosed example is useful for spanning at least a portion of an escalator ( 20 ) where the normal operating steps ( 22 ) have been removed for purposes of working on the escalator ( 20 ). A disclosed example includes a tread surface ( 50 ), a riser portion ( 52 ) that is at least partially generally perpendicular to the tread surface ( 50 ), a first axle hook ( 54 ) and a second axle hook ( 56 ). The axle hooks rest upon spaced axles ( 46 ) associated with the escalator for positioning a temporary step ( 44 ) as desired for facilitating working on the escalator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to passenger conveyors. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a device that is useful forworking on a passenger conveyor such as an escalator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Passenger conveyors are used in a variety of settings. Escalatorsinclude a plurality of steps that move between landings at differentlevels to carry passengers between those levels. Occasionally there is aneed for maintenance or repair of a passenger conveyor.

Some maintenance or repair procedures require removing some of the stepsfrom the escalator machine to gain access to a space beneath the steps,for example. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to provide someway for a mechanic or technician to move along the portion of theescalator where the steps have been removed. This is particularlychallenging especially when the steps have been removed along theincline portion of the escalator.

One approach has been to provide a so-called working board thatestablishes a planer surface upon which an individual can step or restwhile performing work on the escalator. While such working boards haveproven useful, they are not ideal. For example, the incline of theescalator and the corresponding incline of the working board can make itinconvenient or difficult for an individual to move into a desiredposition relative to the escalator while manipulating tools or pieces ofthe escalator itself such as the steps that are being removed orreplaced.

It is desirable to provide a better arrangement for mechanics ortechnicians for working on escalators under circumstances where at leastsome of the normal operating steps have been removed. This inventionaddresses that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary device that is useful for working on escalators includes atread surface. A first axle hook is near one end of the tread surface. Ariser portion is at least partially generally perpendicular to the treadsurface. A second axle hook is associated with the riser portion andspaced from the first axle hook. When the first and second axle hooksrest upon spaced axles on an escalator machine, the tread surface is atan oblique angle relative to an incline of the escalator machine.

The tread surface is generally horizontal and level when the axle hooksare in position on corresponding axles of the escalator machine. Thisallows for a horizontal stepping surface upon which an individual canwalk or remain stationary while performing work on the escalator.

A disclosed example includes a handle associated with at least one ofthe tread surface or the riser portion that makes it easy to manuallyposition or carry the device, for example.

In examples where a plurality of temporary steps are required,individual steps having a tread surface and riser portion areselectively placed on corresponding axles of the escalator. In oneexample, the first axle hook of one temporary step rests upon the sameaxle as the second axle hook of an adjacent temporary step.

The various features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can bebriefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 diagramatically illustrates selected portions of an escalatorhaving conventional components that operate in a known manner.

FIG. 2 diagramatically illustrates an example escalator during a portionof a maintenance or repair procedure where an example embodiment of thisinvention is employed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of an example temporary stepaccording to one example embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the example of FIG. 3 in position on correspondingportions of an escalator.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plurality of temporary steps corresponding to theexample of FIG. 3 in a working position on an escalator.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example feature of one embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a feature of another example embodimentof this invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of another example embodiment ofthis invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Disclosed example embodiments of this invention are useful forfacilitating a maintenance or repair procedure on a passenger conveyorsuch as an escalator. The disclosed examples provide an improved workingsurface that allows a mechanic or technician to more readily achieve adesired position relative to a selected portion of the escalator tocarry out a maintenance or repair procedure. The disclosed examplesprovide a temporary step having a horizontal, level tread surface thatmakes it easier for an individual to carry out a maintenance or repairprocedure compared to arrangements that have been used in the past.

FIG. 1 illustrates selected portions of an escalator 20. A plurality ofsteps 22 are propelled by a drive machine in a known manner and movebetween landings 24 and 26 in a desired direction. As known, the steps22 follow an incline I during at least a portion of their movementbetween the landings 24 and 26. The illustrated example escalator 20includes a handrail 28, balustrade 30 and skirt panels 32. The steps 22,which are the normal, operating steps of the escalator 20 spanessentially the entire distance between the skirt panels 32 on oppositesides of the escalator 20. A minimal clearance between the skirt panels32 and the steps 22 provides known advantages.

FIG. 2 shows portions of an escalator 20 during a maintenance or repairprocedure. In the example of FIG. 2, at least some of the steps 22 alongthe incline portion of the escalator have been removed. The illustratedexample includes a section 40 of the escalator where the normal,operating steps 22 have been removed. An example device 42 facilitates amechanic or technician moving along or remaining stationary in theportion 40 where the normal, operating steps 22 have been removed. Inthe illustrated example, the device 42 comprises a plurality ofindividual, temporary steps 44 that are supported on axles 46, which area part of the escalator 20. In the illustrated example, the axles 46extend across the entire distance between the skirt panels 32. Theexample axles 46 are otherwise each associated with one of the normal,operating steps 22. In other words, each normal, operating step 22 isassociated with one of the axles 46 when the escalator 20 is arrangedfor normal operation to carry passengers, for example.

FIG. 3 shows one example configuration of a temporary step 44 that is aportion of the device 42 in the example of FIG. 2. In this example, thetemporary step 44 includes a tread surface 50 upon which an individualcan step while walking or standing while working on the escalator. Ariser portion 52 is at least partially generally perpendicular to thetread surface 50.

A first axle hook 54 is associated with the tread surface 50 and, inthis example, is near one end of the tread surface 50. The first axlehook 54 rests upon a selected one of the axles 46 when the temporarystep 44 is in place on the escalator for use while working on theescalator. A second axle hook 56 is associated with the riser portion52. The second axle hook in the illustrated example is near one end ofthe riser portion 52. The second axle hook 56 rests upon another one ofthe axles 46 when the temporary step 44 is in position on the escalator.

The first axle hook 54 has a surface that engages a selected amount of acorresponding axle 46. In the illustrated example, the first axle hook54 at least partially wraps around at least a portion of a correspondingaxle 46. In this example, one end of the first axle hook 54 includes asurface that engages a portion of the axle 46 facing in a directionopposite from the tread surface 50. In other words, when the temporarystep 44 is in position, a portion of the first axle hook 54 ispositioned to engage an underside of a corresponding axle 46. Theillustrated example first axle hook 54 engages a corresponding axle 46around at least 180° of a circumference of the axle 46. This examplefeature prevents the step 44 from tipping forward (e.g., pivoting aboutthe lower axle 46 upon which the temporary step 44 is supported) if aforce is applied to it that may tend to otherwise cause the step 44 topivot about the axle upon which the second axle hook 56 is received. Insome circumstances, the walking movement of an individual on thetemporary steps 44 may produce such a force. The way that the examplefirst axle hook 54, which is near the top of each temporary step 44according to the illustration, engages an axle 46 prevents the temporarystep from tipping in a way that the forward edge (e.g., the interfacebetween the riser portion 52 and the tread surface 50) would move towardan adjacent step below it.

In the illustrated example, a bushing 58 is provided along the secondaxle hook 56 to provide a desired traction characteristic between thetemporary step 44 and the corresponding axle 46. In one example, apolymer bushing material is used for the bushing 58 to reduce the amountof potential slipping between the second axle hook 56 and thecorresponding axle 46. As known, the axles 46 typically have grease uponthem and providing a bushing such as the bushing 58 facilitates adesired amount of stationary positioning of the temporary step 44relative to the escalator.

The example of FIG. 3 includes a handle 60 for holding, positioning orcarrying the temporary step 44. In this example, the handle 60 comprisesa recess in the riser portion 52. The recess in this example comprisesan opening through a surface of the riser portion 52.

In the illustrated example, the first axle hook 54 is formed in a flange62 that extends from a lateral edge of the tread surface 50. Althoughonly one is visible in the illustration of FIG. 3, a flange 62 isprovided on each lateral edge of the example tread surface 50. In oneexample, the flanges 62 are oriented at approximately 80° relative tothe tread surface 50 with the outermost edges of the flanges 62 beingspaced apart farther than the widest lateral dimension of the treadsurface 50.

In the example of FIG. 3, the second axle hook 56 at each end of thetemporary step 44 is a part of a flange 64. The flanges 64 are orientedrelative to the riser portion 52 in a similar manner as the flanges 62described above. Having the flanges oriented in this manner allows fornestingly stacking a plurality of the temporary steps 44 for easycarrying and storage, for example.

FIG. 4 shows the example temporary step of FIG. 3 in position onselected axles 46 of an escalator. In this position, the tread surface50 is at an oblique angle to the incline of the escalator. In mostexamples, the tread surface 50 will be horizontal and level in such aposition.

The example of FIG. 4 includes an at least partially roughened surface70 on at least some of the tread surface 50. In the illustrated example,the surface 70 comprises traction tape that is secured to selectedportions of the tread surface 50. The roughened surface 70 provides fora desired amount of traction for an individual utilizing the device 42.

The example temporary step 44 differs from a normal, operating step 22of an escalator in several respects. One difference is that the step 44rests upon two of the axles 46. The normal, operating steps 22 are eachassociated with only one of the axles 46. Another difference is that thetemporary step 44 in this example is intended only to be used when theescalator is stationary and the axles 46 are not moving relative to theskirt panels 32, for example.

Another difference is that a lateral dimension of the tread surface 50along the direction of the axles 46 is significantly less than adistance between the skirt panels 32 such that there is an exposed areabetween at least one of the skirt panels 32 and the temporary step 44 ascan be appreciated from the illustrations of FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, forexample. In one example, the lateral width of the temporary step 44 isless than about 90% of a distance between the skirt panels 32. Thesmaller dimension of the temporary step 44 compared to a normal,operating step 22 facilitates working on portions of the escalator thatare exposed where the normal operating steps 22 have been removed butstill provides a stable, reliable surface upon which an individual canwalk or position themself while working on the escalator.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of the example temporary steps 44 arranged onthe example escalator to provide a series of steps for a mechanic ortechnician 72. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5, the first axle hooks54 associated with the tread surfaces 50 are received on the same axle46 as the second axle hooks 56 of an adjacent one of the plurality oftemporary steps 44. In this example, the second axle hooks 56 arepositioned laterally outside of the first axle hooks 54 as can beappreciated from the illustration. A selected number of the temporarysteps 44 can be used to span a selected distance along the escalator tofacilitate working on the escalator.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a feature of one example embodiment. In somesituations, it is necessary to remove the normal operating steps 22 fromthe transition zones near the landings 24, 26 or both. The temporarysteps 44 in this example are designed to rest upon the axles 46 alongthe incline of the escalator to provide a horizontal, generally leveltread surface 50. In the transition zones, the relative positions of theaxles 46 are different compared to the relative positions along theincline. Accordingly, one of the temporary steps 44 of the example ofFIG. 3 would not provide a level tread surface 50 in the transitionzone. The example of FIG. 6 includes modified temporary steps that areend work surfaces for providing a horizontal, level surface along thetransition zones.

In this example, the end work surfaces have at least one of a treadsurface 50′ or a riser portion 52′ with a corresponding axle hook. Aplanar support surface 80 spans a distance between one of the temporarysteps 44 and the surface of the landing 24 or the landing 26. In theillustrated example, the end work surface 80 near the landing 24 has afirst portion supported on a modified tread surface 50′ that includes afirst axle hook for resting on a selected axle 46 near the landing 24,which may be within or just outside of the transition zone. An oppositeend of the planar surface 80 in this example rests upon a portion of thelanding surface 24.

Near an opposite end of the example escalator of FIG. 6, an end worksurface includes a generally planar surface 80 having a first portionthat rests upon a portion of the landing surface 26. An opposite end ofthe surface 80 is supported on a modified tread surface 50′, which isassociated with a riser portion 52 having a second axle hook 56 thatrests upon a selected one of the axles 46. The example arrangement ofFIG. 6 allows for effectively spanning an entire length or any selectedportion of the length of an escalator with a device 42 designedaccording to this invention to facilitate working on the escalator.

As mentioned above, the illustrated example temporary steps 44 leavingspacing between at least one side of the steps and a corresponding skirtpanel 32. The example of FIG. 7 includes a feature for selectivelyproviding a surface within at least a portion of that spacing as may beneeded for a given situation. The example of FIG. 7 includes a moveablesurface 90 that is supported by brackets 92. In this example, thebrackets 92 are supported by a portion of the temporary step 44corresponding to the tread surface 50. In this example, the moveablesurface 90 is slideable along the brackets 92 between the positionessentially beneath the tread surface 50 (according to the drawing) andanother position shown in phantom at 94 where the surface 90 is exposedbeyond the lateral edge of the tread surface 50. Having a moveablesurface like the surface 90 allows for a mechanic or technician to havea surface for resting tools, escalator parts or service manual, forexample. Although only one moveable surface 90 is shown in the exampleof FIG. 7, some example embodiments will have more than one moveablesurface associated with at least one of the plurality of temporary steps44. In one example, the moveable surface is supported for movementrelative to the riser portion 52 while still providing a surface that isuseful for at least partially spanning a spacing between a lateral edgeof the temporary step 44 and a corresponding skirt panel 32.

FIG. 8 shows another example embodiment where temporary steps 44′ havean inverted configuration compared to the example of FIG. 3. The exampleof FIG. 8 is useful on some escalator arrangements but may not be usefulon others that have cross members between the axles 46. One feature ofthis example is that the hook 54′ extends across the entire length ofthe associated tread surface 50′. In this example, the hook 54′ does notwrap partially around the corresponding axle like the hook 54 in theexample of FIG. 3.

Another example embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. This example differs fromthe example of FIG. 8 in that the tread surface 50′ and the riserportion 52′ are hinged together so that the step is foldable as shown inphantom. In another example, the configuration shown in FIG. 3 ismodified to include a hinged connection. A foldable step of this typepreferably has a feature that secures the step in a workingconfiguration to prevent folding while the step is in use. Thefoldability facilitates easier transportation and storage in someexamples.

Given this description, those skilled in the art will realize whatconfiguration of a device 42 designed according to an embodiment of thisinvention will best meet their particular needs based, at least in part,upon the configuration of the type of escalator with which the device 42will be used.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may becomeapparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart fromthe essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given tothis invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A device for use when working on an escalatormachine, comprising: a tread surface; a first axle hook near one end ofthe tread surface; a riser portion at least partially generallyperpendicular to the tread surface; a second axle hook associated withthe riser portion and spaced from the first axle hook such that when thefirst and second axle hooks rest upon spaced axles on an escalatormachine, the tread surface is at an oblique angle relative to an inclineof the escalator machine; and at least one moveable surface that ismoveably supported by at least one of the tread surface or the riserportion such that the moveable surface is selectively moveable between aposition beneath the tread surface to a position laterally outward ofthe tread surface.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein the oblique angleof the tread surface orients the tread surface approximately level in ahorizontal direction if the device is supported in a desired positionrelative to an escalator machine.
 24. The device of claim 22, whereinthe first and second axle hooks rest upon the respective axles such thatthe tread surface and riser portion can be manually manipulated andlifted from the axles.
 25. The device of claim 22, wherein the firstaxle hook is configured to engage an axle that is vertically higher thanan axle that the second axle hook is configured to engage.
 26. Thedevice of claim 22, wherein the second axle hook engages an axle that isvertically higher than an axle that the first axle hook engages.
 27. Thedevice of claim 22, wherein the tread surface, the riser portion, thefirst axle hook and the second axle hook are all part of a single pieceof material.
 28. The device of claim 27 wherein the single piece ofmaterial comprises a metal sheet.
 29. The device of claim 22, whereinthe escalator machine has skirt panels near the ends of each axle, theskirt panels are spaced apart a first dimension and the tread surfacehas a second dimension configured to be oriented parallel to the axlesthat is less than about 90% of the first dimension if the device issupported in a desired position relative to an escalator machine. 30.The device of claim 22, wherein at least one of the axle hooks has asurface that engages a portion of the corresponding axle that faces in adirection opposite that the tread surface faces.
 31. The device of claim30, wherein the surface of the at least one of the axle hooks engagesthe corresponding axle around at least approximately 180°.
 32. Thedevice of claim 22, wherein the tread surface comprises an at leastpartially roughened surface.
 33. The device of claim 32, wherein the atleast partially roughened surface comprises traction tape secured to atleast a portion of the tread surface.
 34. The device of claim 22,comprising a handle associated with at least one of the tread surface orthe riser portion for manually carrying the device.
 35. The device ofclaim 34, wherein the handle comprises a recess in the at least one ofthe tread surface or the riser portion.
 36. The device of claim 22,comprising a plurality of temporary steps each comprising the treadsurface, riser portion, first axle hook and second axle hook,respectively, and wherein the first axle hook of one of the temporarysteps and the second axle hook of an adjacent one of the temporary stepsare each configured to rest on a common axle.
 37. The device of claim36, wherein the second axle hook of the adjacent one of the temporarysteps comprises two spaced projections near an end of the riser portionof the adjacent one of the temporary steps and the first axle hook ofthe one of the temporary steps is configured to be received at leastpartially between the spaced projections if the corresponding first andsecond axle hooks are on the common axle.
 38. The device of claim 36,wherein the plurality of temporary steps are stackable for at least oneof storing or transporting the plurality of temporary steps, theplurality of tread surfaces are aligned with each other and theplurality of riser portions are aligned with each other and at least aportion of one of the temporary steps is nestingly received by anadjacent one of the temporary steps when the temporary steps arestacked.
 39. The device of claim 36, comprising at least one end worksurface having at least one of a tread surface or a riser portion withthe corresponding axle hook and a planar support surface having a firstportion supported by the at least one of the tread surface or riserportion and a second portion adapted to rest upon a landing near one endof the escalator machine.
 40. The device of claim 22, wherein the treadsurface and the riser portion are hinged together and selectivelymoveable relative to each other.
 41. A device for use when working on anescalator machine, comprising: a tread surface; a first axle hook nearone end of the tread surface; a riser portion at least partiallygenerally perpendicular to the tread surface; a second axle hookassociated with the riser portion and spaced from the first axle hooksuch that when the first and second axle hooks rest upon spaced axles onan escalator machine, the tread surface is at an oblique angle relativeto an incline of the escalator machine; and wherein the tread surfaceand the riser portion are hinged together and selectively moveablerelative to each other.
 42. The device of claim 41, comprising at leastone moveable surface that is moveably supported by at least one of thetread surface or the riser portion such that the moveable surface isselectively moveable between a position beneath the tread surface to aposition laterally outward of the tread surface.